Staying Safe Through the HOWL-idays
The holidays are a wonderful time of year filled with joy and celebration. By planning ahead and choosing events carefully, you can ensure both you and your Future Leader Dog stay safe, happy and successful. When considering an outing, ask yourself:
- Am I prepared to leave if my puppy is unsuccessful in this environment?
- Am I ready to stay attentive as a puppy raiser, or do I just want to enjoy the party?
- Is my puppy ready for this activity?
- Have I confirmed public access for a service dog in training?
If the answer to any of these is “no,” it may be best to leave your puppy at home.
Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations
As cold weather arrives, keep safety in mind during walks. When temperatures drop below 20 degrees, limit outdoor time to park breaks.
Avoid salted public sidewalks when possible and wipe paws before coming inside. Where you can, use pet safe salt if necessary. Products like Musher’s Secret, or other paw wax brands, can help protect feet. Cold weather is also perfect for practicing obedience indoors or arranging indoor puppy playdates.
The winter holidays bring many indoor and outdoor decorations. Keep ornaments, tinsel, lights, plants and presents out of reach by puppy-proofing your home. Consider using an exercise pen around your tree and presents as a management tool. While Santa may bring your FLD presents, refrain from teaching them to open their own gifts.
On New Year’s Eve, fireworks and loud celebrations are not appropriate for a FLD. Keep your puppy crated during the festivities so they feel secure and well rested. Then, celebrate the new year together on January 1 with a calm and cozy day. At every holiday event, keep your puppy on leash, supervised and set up for success. Decide whether an outing is a genuine training opportunity or simply a party best enjoyed without your FLD. With a little planning, you and your puppy can safely enjoy the magic of the season!
By Vijay Joshi, puppy development manager of raiser and host experience
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Presented by AAA The Auto Club Group - March 20, 2026
Our signature fundraiser will take place at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, MI. Every dollar raised supports life-changing programs at no cost to our clients, empowering people who are blind or low vision to live independent, confident lives.
The evening includes a family style dinner, an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, an ice cream and cannoli platter, an espresso station, and on-location parking.
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